Maxwell named Woman of the Year

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Joan Maxwell, president of Regulator Marine, Inc. was presented with the 2003 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award yesterday afternoon at an awards luncheon at the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) annual convention held in Las Vegas.

The Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award is presented each year to an outstanding woman in the marine industry who demonstrates leadership and commitment to the recreational marine industry. The recipients also must demonstrate a willingness to volunteer their time and effort in their communities and social organizations.

The award was established in 1987 in honor of Darlene Briggs of Wayzata Marine, who exemplified these qualities, serving as the first retail marine saleswoman in Minnesota and the first female member of her state marine trades association. It is sponsored by Boating Industry magazine, MRAA Spader 20 Group 103 and MRAA.

The award was presented to Maxwell yesterday by the sponsors along with Kim Bors, former vice president of people and process integration for Brunswick Boat Group, former president of Chris Craft and a previous Darlene Briggs award winner.

In 1998, Maxwell’s local chamber of commerce recognized her and her husband as business people of the year and in 2000 she was selected as the recipient of one of five Darlene Briggs Women of Excellence Awards.

In addition to serving as president for Regulator, Maxwell has also been involved in many aspects of the business since she and her husband launched their company in Edenton, N.C. in 1988, from sanding and purchasing to accounting and graphic design.

Maxwell oversees sales, marketing, customer service and finances through her role as president of the boat building firm, as well as serving as a community and industry representative for the company. She is also an active member of the National Marine Manufacturers Association Boat Manufacturers Division’s board of directors.

On top of those responsibilities, Maxwell has made time for involvement in her local community, including roles in both her church and local government, having served as both president and chairperson of her chamber of commerce, among other roles.

Maxwell was described in her nomination as “an activist with a strong passion for the marine industry” but also as “a role model, not only for women in the marine industry, but for all of us in the marine industry, and particularly women. She brings passion, heart, caring and integrity into every relationship and every job.”

The 2002 recipient of the Darlene Briggs award was Kris Carroll, president of Grady-White Boats, Inc. Other past recipients include: Lynn Fiorenzano of Silver Spring Marine; Kimberly Bors, vice president, people and process integration for Brunswick Boat Group and former president of Chris Craft; and Maureen Dickson, president of Cap Sante Marine of Anacortes, Wash.

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